Crema de Fruta is a popular dessert that is sure to please people all over the world, whatever their ethnic background. It is a sweet and delicate mixture of fresh and canned fruits between layers of jelly roll slices, sponge cake, or lady fingers. This dessert is enriched by an amazingly easy to make cream sauce. Here are two easy recipes to help you make a simple, no cook Crema de Fruta so you can effortlessly whip up a luscious ending to any meal.

Many countries have their own versions of Crema de Fruta. In England, they have the trifle, a layered dessert made with fruit, sponge cake, fruit juice or jelly, whipped cream, and a custard-like cream. A recipe for trifle was first featured in a recipe book way back in 1596, but this recipe actually referred mainly to the cream ingredient in the dessert. At that time, the cream was made with rosewater and ginger. More than 200 years later, jelly was added to the dish.

In Italy, a dessert similar to the modern Crema de Fruta was made with sponge cake or lady fingers dipped in liqueur. These were alternated with layers of egg custard, topped with cream, and sprinkled with almonds. Legend has it that this dessert was partly made by a smitten Italian pastry cook who created this dessert as a tribute from the people of Naples to Lord Nelson when he defeated Napoleon in 1798.

People all over the world have come up with various cakes that closely resemble the Crema de Fruta. Some versions use fresh fruits, some dip the cake or cookies in strong coffee or Madeira, while some will include a layer of clear, fruit flavored gelatin to encase the dessert. Most of these desserts take time to create and assemble, so if you like Crema de Fruta you will be eager to try out these two quick and convenient no cook recipes.

Version 1: Crema de Fruta with Cream Cheese

This no cook Crema de Fruta version uses cream cheese to create an interesting layer between slices of sponge cake. You can scale down this dessert by using only two, instead of three layers of lady fingers. Instead of lady fingers, you can also use sponge cake, sliced about one inch thick.

Version 2: No Cook Crema de Fruta with the Richness of Butter

The buttery flavor of this version of Crema de Fruta will make it an instant hit at your dining table. On the plus side, you can prepare this dessert as early as two to three days before your party, and it will be as good as the day you made it.

Tips, Tricks and Warnings

This dessert keeps well; if you are preparing it for a party and you think you are going to be busy, prepare this three days before.

If you decide to prepare this ahead of time, but your presentation includes fresh fruits, it would be best to use the fresh fruits only on the top layer and add them a few hours before you serve the dessert. Use canned fruits in between the cake layers.

You can gather the crumbs from the lady fingers or the sponge cake and scatter these over the last layer as garnish.

You can also use roughly chopped nuts to garnish your dessert.

An alternative serving idea would be to use a transparent bowl instead of a rectangular Pyrex dish. With this you can create more than three layers and ensure a strong visual effect by making sure each layer is clearly visible from the side.

If you are having a sit-down dinner party, here's a serving suggestion that may be a bit more painstaking, but is definitely worth the trouble: Cut out the sponge cake in circles and use this to create layers in a crystal goblet. Top with a beautiful red strawberry and allot one goblet per guest.

Questions and Answers

Does Crema de fruta with cream cheese taste as good?

This will depend on the person eating the Crema de Fruta with cream cheese filling. Some people love the taste, some don't. When making Crema De Fruta with cream cheese, try making another version without it. This way, if a person does not like the taste, you have another one that they can eat.

After mixing the cream and condensed?

Yes, you chill it in the fridge for better taste. You can keep it in the fridge for as long as you want, as long as you don't make it frozen because that will cause it to get watery later on.

Also, you can just choose to put the entire crema de fruta in the fridge later on when you're done and no need to do it as you create your cake.

Do you have a recipe for Crema La Fruta Goldilocks?

I would like to learn how to make the traditional Filipino Goldilocks version of this dish.. I have tried: I have tried making a simple no cook crema de fruta.. I think it was caused by: I can't find the crema de fruta recipe online.